Patterson has Council-Manager form of government. In the Council-Manager form of government, the Council is the governing body of the City, elected by the public, and the Manager is hired by the Council to carry out the policies it establishes. In Patterson the Council five members including the Mayor (or Council President) who is elected by the people as defined in the City Charter. The Council provides legislative direction while the City Manager is responsible for day-to-day administrative operations of the City based on the Council’s recommendations. The Mayor and Council, as a collegial body, are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, and determining the tax rate. The City Manager serves as the Council’s Chief Adviser.

Patterson is a City in Stanislaus County, California, located off Interstate 5. It is 27 miles southeast of Tracy and is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. Patterson is known as the "Apricot Capital of the World"; the town holds an annual Apricot Fiesta to celebrate with many drinks, food, desserts and games. The population was 20,413 at the 2010 census, up from 11,606 at the 2000 census.

On Interstate 5 (I-5): If you’re heading North bound from Los Angeles or Bakersfield, you will take the Sperry Ave exit in Patterson, CA off of the 5 and turn right to head into down town. If you’re heading South bound on I-5 from San Francisco or Sacramento, you will exit also on Sperry Ave. off of the 5 and turn left to head into down town. On Highway 99 (H-99): If you’re heading North bound from Los Angeles or Bakersfield on H-99, you will take the West Main St (County Hwy j-17) Exit in Turlock, then head west (or turn left) for about 15 miles to Patterson, CA. If you’re heading South bound on H-99 from San Francisco or Sacramento, you will exit also West Main (County Hwy j-17) Exit in Turlock, then head West (or turn right) for about 15 miles to Patterson, CA.

Patterson has Council-Manager form of government. In the Council-Manager form of government, the Council is the governing body of the City, elected by the public, and the Manager is hired by the Council to carry out the policies it establishes. In Patterson the Council five members including the Mayor (or Council President) who is elected by the people as defined in the City Charter. The Council provides legislative direction while the City Manager is responsible for day-to-day administrative operations of the City based on the Council’s recommendations. The Mayor and Council, as a collegial body, are responsible for setting policy, approving the budget, and determining the tax rate. The City Manager serves as the Council’s Chief Adviser.

According to the Department of Finance for the State of California, Patterson's population in 2014 was 20,922.

The 2010 United States Census reported that Patterson had a population of 20,413. The population density was 3,428.5 people per square mile (1,323.7/km²). The racial makeup of Patterson was 10,117 (49.6%) White, 1,291 (6.3%) African American, 221 (1.1%) Native American, 1,069 (5.2%) Asian, 280 (1.4%) Pacific Islander, 6,235 (30.5%) from other races, and 1,200 (5.9%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11,971 persons (58.6%).The population was spread out with 6,890 people (33.8%) under the age of 18, 2,140 people (10.5%) aged 18 to 24, 5,822 people (28.5%) aged 25 to 44, 4,280 people (21.0%) aged 45 to 64, and 1,281 people (6.3%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29.1 years. For every 100 females there were 101.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.